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I put my brief review in the notes
Readers young and old will find this an exciting read. I look forward to the second book--and yes, I did not miss that AD Bell is the author o f this book and the story within the story.
Characters well drawn.
Plot intricate but explained well
suspense--yes!
Could not put it down!
Just enough info about the history, just enough ab out bookbinding to give it intrest but not become boring

📚 Book Review: The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. Bell

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC! This one absolutely stole my bookish heart. 💛📖

Fair warning, this review may contain some spoilers.

I LOVED this story! It checked every box: an immersive mystery, tangled romances (yes—plural! 😍), danger around every corner, and of course… books. Lots of books! 🕯️📚 The idea of a hidden love story buried beneath the bindings? Absolutely irresistible.

Lilly, our lead, felt so real. Sure, she made a few head-scratching choices (I mean, leaving the door unlocked with a killer on the loose? 🙃), but she owns her quirks—especially her admission that she’s more of a book-handler than a book-devourer. That little detail made her missteps feel genuine, if a bit nerve-wracking at times.

The layers of mystery kept unfolding, and the cast of characters was rich and memorable. I wasn’t a fan of Julia Chatton or the sinister man in the Bowler Hat 😒, but I rooted so hard for Isabel to reunite with her son, Isaac. That storyline tugged at the heartstrings.

And the hint of a sequel? I’m already impatiently waiting. I’d read it in a heartbeat! 💞

Highly recommend to anyone who craves historical mystery with emotional depth, gothic edges, and literary love woven into the seams.

#TheBookbindersSecret #ADBell #ARCReview #NetGalleyReads #StMartinsPress #HistoricalMystery #BookishLove #DangerAndRomance #BooksWithinBooks #FiveStarRead #Bookstagram #MustRead2025

The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bell is one of those stories that quietly wraps around your heart and doesn’t let go. Set in the rich, moody world of Victorian bookbinding, it follows Lily, who feels so real, you find yourself rooting for her like a close friend. When she stumbles across a hidden note in a damaged book, it sets off a chain of secrets and choices that challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and the people around her. But what really stayed with me wasn’t just the mystery!! It was Lily’s quiet strength, her longing to be seen in a world that often tries to silence her, and the way love, grief, and hope are woven into every page. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking, feeling, and wanting to hold someone’s hand when you’re done.

✨ Book Review: The Bookbinder’s Secret ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
📚 Publish Date: January 13, 2026
Some books entertain. Some books enchant. This one bound me, heart, mind, and soul.
From the very first page, The Bookbinder’s Secret wrapped around me like a cherished story passed down through generations. This is not just a book, it’s an experience, a journey, and for me, an instant favorite. I will be thinking about this story forever. Set in 1901 Oxford, this novel brings to life the exquisite art of bookbinding through the eyes of a remarkable young woman, Lilian Delaney, an apprentice bookbinder with fire in her spirit and clarity in her convictions. Lilian is a main character I will never forget, strong, independent, intelligent, and deeply human.
What begins with the mystery of a burned book evolves into a rich, layered tale filled with romance, suspense, history, and literary passion. This is a story within a story and somehow, my own story attached itself to the pages.
I was hooked from the start. Fast paced yet lyrical, this novel read like poetry and danced like music. I savored every sentence. It thrilled me, moved me, and reminded me why I love reading so deeply.
As a craft lover, I adored the spotlight on the history and techniques of bookbinding, an art form I now want to explore myself. This book reminded me that the tools of a craft can also be tools of empowerment.
If you love books about books, strong heroines, historical mysteries, or stories that pull you into another time and place, you need The Bookbinder’s Secret on your shelf. I can’t wait to own a finished copy. Automatic buy from this author going forward.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this stunning novel early for an honest review.
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I was drawn in by bookbinding, it’s been a hobby of mine so it caught my attention that bookbinding is part of the plot for this book, AND it’s a period.

✨ARC Review✨
📖 The Bookbinder's Secret
✍️ A.D Bell
📅 Publication: January 13, 2026

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Every book holds a story this one hides a secret.
In 1901 Oxford, apprentice bookbinder Lily Delaney feels trapped by her limited life. But when she discovers a hidden letter inside a burned book, she’s drawn into a decades-old mystery of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.
As Lily hunts for more books that may contain clues, her curiosity turns into obsession and danger. From London’s bookshops to private collections, she follows a trail others will kill to keep buried. Now, she must decide how far she’s willing to go for the truth

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
I’ll start by saying this isn’t usually the type of book I go for, but something about the synopsis drew me in, and I’m so glad it did. This story blends historical fiction with a touch of mystery, weaving a tale of forbidden love and the price that often accompanies it. It explores how deeply relationships can affect our lives, especially when they're tangled in secrets. While the beginning was a bit slow for me, I ended up really enjoying the read overall.
Thank You @stmartinpress for allowing me to review this book,